Stingrays Fall to Atlanta 5-3 Sunday

Oct 25, 2015

10/25/2015 5:27 PM -

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C.-The South Carolina Stingrays scored three goals in the third period, but the Atlanta Gladiators pulled away for a 5-3 victory Sunday afternoon at the North Charleston Coliseum. The contest dropped the Stingrays to 1-3-1 on the young 2015-2016 ECHL season.

A wild third period saw the two teams trade six goals. After Bobby Shea cut Atlanta's lead to 2-1 with a power play goal at 2:16 of the period, the Gladiators struck for a pair of goals to take a 4-1 lead. Derek Nesbitt scored on a beautiful passing play at 5:35, tipping a Gary Nunn pass to the back of the net for his third goal of the season.

At 9:55, South Carolina goaltender Vitek Vanecek, who replaced Mark Dekanich late in the second period, made a puckhanding error. The netminder raced out of his crease to clear a loose puck but his pass hit Atlanta's Nate Condon instead. Condon recollected and fired a shot into the vacated goal to extend Atlanta's lead.

The Stingrays roared back with a pair of goals. First it was Andrew Johnston scoring at 13:12, lifting a Kyle Kraemer pass up, and over, the glove of Atlanta goalie Kent Patterson. Then, Stephan Vigier added his second goal of season at 16:38 to cut Atlanta's lead to 4-3. In only his third game with the Stingrays, Vigier snuck down the left wing and beat Patterson with a shot short-side to make the deficit just one. Jared Staal and Wade Epp assisted on the goal.
The Stingrays would pull Vanecek for an extra attacker late, but Brad Navin scored an empty net goal at 19:44 to seal the win for Atlanta.

Atlanta's Thomas Frazee was the first star of the game The forward had three points, including a goal on a deflection that opened the scoring at 4:00 of the first period.

The Stingrays are back in action for a pair of games this week in Florida. The Stingrays take on the Everblades from Germain Arena on Wednesday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. Fans may watch both games at the Watch Party Home of the Stingrays, King Street Grille-Northwoods. During Stingrays road games, fans may also enjoy select $3 draft beers at King Street Grille.

South Carolina returns home next Sunday at 3:05 p.m. versus Evansville. It's Kids Kickin' Cancer with Camp Happy Days presented by APECS and South Carolina Stingrays/Crews Subaru & Charleston County Parks Family Days with $5 Kids Tickets & $5 Kids Meals. Ticket information is available at StingraysHockey.com.

Do not miss a second of the action! 2015-16 Stingrays Ticket Plans are on sale NOW! Save money off of box office prices and get great benefits like FREE parking, Buddy Passes, discounts off of merchandise, advanced ticket purchases to North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center events and more! Click here to see all the benefits and options!